Table assembly

ABSTRACT

A table assembly formed by one or more base modules and a slab supported thereby. The base module is adjustable to assume a variety of lattice-like or fretted patterns. The modules are constituted by a pair of leg elements, each formed by a post having a foot frame and head frame extending laterally from the lower and upper sections of the post to define an intermediate region occupied by a body frame whose corners are pivotally connected to the midpoints of the foot and head frames, whereby each leg element is rotatable about its midpoint axis and may therefore assume different angular configurations in which the foot frames rest on the floor and the head frames support the slab.

Ilited States Patent 1 Schliemann et al.

[ 1 MayS, 1973 TABLE ASSEMBLY [22] Filed: Apr. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 136,738

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Sullivan ..21 1/177 X H FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 339,062 12/1930 Great Britain ..2l l/l48 Primary Examiner.lames C. Mitchell Attorney-Michael Ebert [57] ABSTRACT A table assembly formed by one or more base modules and a slab supported thereby. The base module is adjustable to assume a variety of lattice-like or fretted patterns. The modules are constituted by a pair of leg elements, each formed by a post having a foot frame and head frame extending laterally from the lower and upper sections of the post to define an intermediate region occupied by a body frame whose corners are pivotally connected to the midpoints of the foot and head frames, whereby each leg element is rotatable about its midpoint axis and may therefore assume different angular configurations in which the foot frames rest on the floor and the head frames support the slab.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures TABLE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to table assemblies, and more particularly to an assembly formed byone or more base modules which are adjustable to assume a variety of lattice-like patterns and are adapted to support a slab to create a table.

A table is a piece of furniture consisting essentially of a flat slab fixed on legs. The traditional or conservative attitude toward furniture has largely been abandoned in contemporary design, for while the past practice has stressed permanence, the modern trend encourages flexibility and change in decor. Thus in furnishing a modern living room, the present approach is toward furniture pieces capable of modification to effect changes in appearance, rather than pieces having a fixed configuration.

Thus the typical traditional table, regardless of design, has its legs or pedestal permanently joined to the table top so that one can neither change the legs nor replace the table top with a differently shaped slab.

But it is no longer the fashion to make lifetime purchases of furniture pieces, but to periodically change the decor to enliven the home environment. In this regard, the typical traditional table represents a problem, for its form is static, it cannot be dismantled and stored in a limited area and should the householder wish to provide a table whose appearance differs from that of an existing table, he simply has to do away with the old table and buy a new one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is the main object of the invention to provide a table assembly formed by one or more base modules, and a removable slab adapted to the rest on the base modules, the modules being adjustable to assume a variety of lattice-like or fretted patterns which may be combined with slabs of different shape and size.

A significant feature of the invention resides in the fact that the table assembly lends itself to a board range of variation in both functional and aesthetic terms, for not only is it possible to change the geometric form of the individual base modules, but by interrelating the modules in different ways, one may use slabs of different dimensions and shapes in order to create tables of diverse form.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a table assembly of the above-described type which may be manufactured and sold at relatively low-cost, and which may be readily dismantled for purposes of compact packaging, shipment and storage.

Briefly stated, these objects are accomplished in a table assembly constituted by one or more base modules, and a slab supported thereby, each module comprising a pair of leg elements formed by a vertical post, having rectangular foot and head frames extending laterally from the upper and lower sections of the post to define an intermediate region occupied by a rectangular body frame whose corners are pivotally connected to the midpoints of the foot and head frames, whereby each leg element is rotatable about its midpoint axis. Thus the leg elements of a module may be adjusted to assume different angular configurations in which the foot frames rest on the floor and the head frames support the slab.

OUTLINE OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of the invention as well other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dining room table assembly in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is plan view of the dining room table;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single base module;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the module components;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the base module;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a console table in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an end table in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of -a long table in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a table assembly in accordance with the invention, the assembly being constituted by two identical base modules, generally designated by numeral 10 which serve to support a slab 11. It will be seen in FIG. 2 that the two modules are adjusted to assume opposing A-like configurations, but it will be appreciated that this form is but one of several design possibilities.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, showing the structure of a single base module 10, it will be seen that the base module consists of a pair of identical leg elements A and B, which are pivotally interconnected by a center frame C. Leg elements A and B are each formed by a vertical post 12 having a rectangular head frame 13, extending laterally from the upper section thereof and a rectangular foot frame 14, extending laterally from the lower section thereof.

In practice, frames 13 and 14 may be fabricated from pieces of hollow stainless steel or aluminum tubing, having a rectangular cross-section, the two frames being disposed one above the other, and being joined together by a coupling piece attached to corresponding end pieces of the frames so that post 12 is then effectively defined by the end pieces of the head and foot frames in combination with the coupling piece. However, it is also possible to make use of a one-piece post to which pieces are joined to create head and foot rectangles.

Center or body frame C which interconnects the leg elements A and B is constituted by a rectangular body frame whose dimensions are the same as the foot and head frames. The body frame is received in the open region between the foot and head frames. The four corners of the body frame are pivotally connected by pivots 15 to the lower and upper reaches of the head and foot frames, respectively, at the midpoint of these reaches.

The arrangement is such that leg elements A and B are each rotatable with respect to the body frame C about their respective vertical midpoint axes Y. Thus as shown in FIG. 5, the base module may be caused to assume an H-configuration in which leg elements A and B are both at right angles to body frame C. However, one may angularly adjust either leg element in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction relative to frame C, and thereby cause the module to assume other patterns. Or, one may maintain the elements A and B in parallel planes, but vary the angle of frame C with respect thereto.

In FIG. 6, there is shown a console table in which an elongated table slab 16 is supported by a pair of base modules 10. It will be seen that these modules are adjusted to assume an A-like configuration, similar to that of the modules in FIG. 1, but instead of arranging the As with their apexes facing each other as in FIG. 1, the A-formation modules in FIG. 6 stand in side-by-side relation and thereby afford a broader-based support for the longer slab. In this console table arrangement, one may insert a shelf 17 through the openings of the head frames of the modules to rest on the lower reaches thereof.

In FIG. 7, the base module is angularly adjusted to assume an H-configuration in which leg sections A and B are parallel to each other and the body frame C is at right anles thereto. The head frames of leg sections A and B support a square slab 18 to form an end table or a lamp table.

Still another arrangement is shown in FIG. 8 where it will be seen that the pair of base modules 10 are angularly adjusted to assume a T configuration, with leg section B and body frame C of each module lying in a common plane normal to leg section A. The pair of base modules 10 support a long slab l9.

In all of the embodiments shown in the drawings, the base module is constituted by a pattern of rectangular frames, all having the same dimensions, the distribution and angular orientation of the frames being determined by the angular adjustment of the modules. Thus each module presents a lattice-like or fretted pattern whose geometry may be readily varied. In this way, though the modules and slabs, when brought together, crate a table, the assembler is able to erect tables of various designs and thereby, without the need for replacing the table, modify the appearance of the table to suit changing taste or decor. It will be appreciated that by the use of slabs formed of glass, acrylic or other transparent material, the module pattern may be seen at all angles.

While there have been shown and described preferred embodiments of the table assembly of the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit thereof.

We claim: 1 A table assembly comprising: A. a slab, and Y B. at least one base mdoule, each module being constituted by a pair of leg elements, each formed by a post having rectangular foot and head frames fixedly attached to and extending laterally from the upper and lower sections of the post to define an intermediate region occupied by a rectangular body frame whose corners are pivotally connected to the midpoints of the upper and lower reaches respectively of foot and head frames of teh pair of leg elements, whereby each leg element is rotatable about its midpoint axis and may assume different configurations, said foot frames resting on the floor surface, said head frames supporting said 2. A fable assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said leg elements and said body frame are formed from tubular pieces having a rectangular cross-section.

3. A table assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tubular pieces are fabricated of stainless steel.

4. A table assembly as set forth in claim 1 constituted by a pair of base modules in side-by-side relation to support said slab.

5. A table assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a shelf inserted through the head frames of the modules below said slab.

6. A'table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slab is of transparent material to expose the lattice-like pattern formed by the frames of the modules. 

1. A table assembly comprising: A. a slab, and B. at least one base mdoule, each module being constituted by a pair of leg elements, each formed by a post having rectangular foot and head frames fixedly attached to and extending laterally from the upper and lower sections of the post to define an intermediate region occupied by a rectangular body frame whose corners are pivotally connected to the midpoints of the upper and lower reaches respectively of foot and head frames of teh pair of leg elements, whereby each leg element is rotatable about its midpoint axis and may assume different configurations, said foot frames resting on the floor surface, said head frames supporting said slab.
 2. A table assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said leg elements and said body frame are formed from tubular pieces having a rectangular cross-section.
 3. A table assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tubular pieces are fabricated of stainless steel.
 4. A table assembly as set forth in claim 1 constituted by a pair of base modules in side-by-side relation to support said slab.
 5. A table assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a shelf inserted through the head frames of the modules below said slab.
 6. A table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slab is of transparent material to expose the lattice-like pattern formed by the frames of the modules. 